The European Union on Wednesday intensified pressure on France to accelerate long-delayed energy interconnections with Spain and Portugal, warning that the bloc’s energy security and green transition depend on a more integrated continental grid.
Speaking in Brussels, Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen acknowledged longstanding frustrations in Madrid and Lisbon, saying France had shown “somewhat reluctance” over the years to advance cross-border infrastructure projects with its southern neighbors.
His remarks followed the release of new Commission plans aimed at speeding up permitting and improving the coordination of major grid investments across Europe.
The renewed push comes months after a massive blackout hit the Iberian Peninsula, exposing the vulnerability of Spain and Portugal’s semi-isolated electricity network. The region is often described as an “energy island,” with only a small number of connections linking it to the wider European grid through the Pyrenees.
Brussels argues that better-integrated networks will allow countries to import or export electricity according to demand, improving resilience during supply shocks and facilitating the rapid scale-up of renewable energy.
In Wednesday’s proposal, the Commission placed two new France-Spain interconnections at the top of a priority list of eight major “energy highways” slated for fast-tracking.
These projects, running across the Pyrenees, have been the subject of political debate for years, with Spain accusing France of delaying construction due to local opposition and environmental concerns.
EU Vice President for the clean transition Teresa Ribera emphasized that interconnected grids are critical for managing both planned and unexpected disruptions. “The more connected we are, the more possibilities we have to react,” she said, stressing that shared infrastructure strengthens collective resilience.
The blackout earlier this year highlighted how limited connections hindered a rapid recovery. With few routes to reroute electricity flows, operators struggled to stabilize the system, prompting renewed calls from Iberian governments for decisive EU intervention.
The Commission’s broader package also includes plans for a hydrogen corridor linking Portugal to Germany and a modernization of electricity networks across the Baltic States. Officials say these projects will help the EU diversify energy supplies, reduce dependence on volatile fossil fuel markets and support the bloc’s climate targets.
Behind the technical discussions lies a growing economic urgency. High electricity prices have been a persistent challenge for European businesses, undermining competitiveness amid rising global energy competition. According to Commission data, industrial electricity prices in the EU reached €0.199 per kWh in 2024, compared to €0.082 in China and €0.075 in the United States.
Brussels argues that stronger interconnections would help bring prices down by allowing operators to tap into cheaper sources of power when needed.
In Spain and Portugal, abundant solar and wind power often generate excess electricity that cannot be fully exported due to limited cross-border capacity. France, meanwhile, regularly faces supply fluctuations linked to its aging nuclear fleet.
Energy analysts say better links could also open the door to a more balanced distribution of renewable energy across the continent, smoothing out variability and supporting Europe’s long-term decarbonization plans.
Despite political friction, France insists it remains committed to strengthening the European grid. Paris argues that environmental impact assessments and complex engineering requirements have slowed progress, but says the new EU proposal could help streamline procedures.
However, Madrid and Lisbon maintain that decades of delays have left the region unnecessarily exposed. For them, the blackout served as a powerful reminder of the importance of infrastructure once considered largely technical but now central to geopolitical and economic strategy.
As the EU transitions to cleaner energy sources, Brussels is signaling that cooperation — not isolation — will be the guiding principle of future policy. The message to France is clear: the continent’s energy security depends on every link in the chain.